Take a trip to ‘Love Island USA' with Ariana Madix this weekend
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who was pretending they didn't care about the 'Love Island USA' delay on Peacock so it would load faster.
This week's Season 7 premiere of the reality TV dating show arrived over 40 minutes past its scheduled launch time, causing eager fans who planned their dinners accordingly to crash out on social media about the delay — but, hey, absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? (Speaking of absences, Yulissa Escobar is already gone.) 'Vanderpump Rules' alum Ariana Madix, who returns as host, stopped by Guest Spot to talk about the series that brings together a group of single people (known as islanders) into one villa for a messy and drama-filled chance at love (and money).
Also in this week's Screen Gab, our streaming recommendations include a PBS documentary about a Harvard dropout who, over half a century ago, revolutionized the way people instantly chronicle their lives with his invention of the Polaroid camera, and a British competition series that's become a bit of a phenomenon by having comedians competing against each other in bizarre challenges.
Must-read stories you might have missed
Dakota Johnson and director Celine Song rethink the rom-com with 'Materialists': The duo explore contemporary, clear-eyed attitudes toward relationships in their new film, Song's follow-up to 'Past Lives.'
Mark Hamill starred in the ultimate battle of good and evil. Now he just wants to make America normal again: After nearly five decades as Luke Skywalker, the actor opens up about finding new purpose in Mike Flanagan's 'The Life of Chuck,' speaking out against Trump and rebuilding after the Malibu wildfires.
'Phineas and Ferb' returns after 10 years with a new season and more musical moments: The popular Disney animated series is back after a decade with its main voice cast, more musical numbers and guest stars including Alan Cumming, Michael Bublé and Megan Rapinoe.
'The biggest mistake of my life': 6 actors on typecasting, comedy idols and more: Nathan Lane recalls the Friars Club Roast from hell, Kate Hudson opens up about needing to fight for roles beyond the rom-com and more tales from The Envelope Comedy Roundtable.
Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times
'Mr. Polaroid' (pbs.org)
The story of inventor Edwin Land — scrap metal dealer's son, Harvard dropout — and the transformative social power of his famous instant camera is told in this 'American Experience' documentary. You may remember the Swinger, a '60s mass market youth accessory, or even the older models that needed a fixative rub, but certainly you have experienced the full-color perfection of the classic SX-70. 'Mr. Polaroid' captures the magic of the analog image developing in your hand as opposed to the mundanity of digital pictures in thousands on your cell phone — a thing to gather around, put in an album, stick on a refrigerator — and the vision (and myopia) of an obsessive leader whose invention he hoped 'you would use as often as your pencil or your eyeglasses,' and would somehow draw humanity closer together. ('Polaroid is on its way to lead the world,' he declared in a letter to his troops, 'perhaps even to save it.') Land hired women in important research positions when that was rarely done and, after the death of Martin Luther King Jr., resolved to bring more Black employees into Polaroid, but he would also work with the CIA and license (then retract) technology to apartheid South Africa — so, a complicated person. But using his cameras was simplicity itself. — Robert Lloyd
'Taskmaster' (YouTube, Pluto TV)
Imagine 'The Great British Bake Off' with fangs. That's the appeal of 'Taskmaster,' a truly singular British comedy competition series in which pompous tyrant Greg Davies and his fastidious minion Alex Horne (who is also the show's creator) sit in gilded thrones and order five comedians to do the impossible, the ingenious and the hilariously annoying. The first episode of Season 1 kicked off with the challenges: paint a horse while riding a horse, empty a bathtub without pulling the plug or tipping it over, and eat as much watermelon as possible. Expect giggling and protestations as the frustrated comics have the best worst time of their lives. Now in Season 19, for the first time an American performer — Jason Mantzoukas — has flown across the Atlantic to be publicly roasted. Challenged to bring in his snootiest item, Mantzoukas admitted that 'in America, snootiness is not really a thing.' So he hired a fake butler. He's making us Yanks proud. — Amy Nicholson
A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they're working on — and what they're watching
'Love Island USA' kicked off its seventh season this week on Peacock, which can only mean one thing: A summer of diabolical choices sure to take over timelines six nights a week has officially begun. A spinoff of the U.K. reality dating series, the U.S. iteration is set on the island of Fiji and brings together 10 singles in a villa under constant video surveillance with a goal of coupling up. Over the course of the series, in between competing in kooky challenges and going on dates, new islanders are brought in and contestants may re-couple at their discretion — those not paired up are in danger of elimination. The last-standing couple leaves with a $100,000 cash prize. It's not exactly the storybook backdrop for forming long-lasting relationships, but the realities of modern dating are hardly any better. After making her hosting debut last season, Ariana Madix, the 'Vanderpump Rules' alum and Scandoval survivor who has spun her reality TV stardom into a booming career beyond the Bravo universe, is back to oversee the shenanigans. Madix stopped by Guest Spot to tell us which contestant she's watching out for this season and which workplace comedies she finds comfort in. —Yvonne Villarreal
As someone who has had the highs and lows of a relationship documented on a reality show, what's your best advice for someone looking for love on TV today?
I've never been on a television program to find love, [or] make a romantic connection, so I'm not sure I'm the best to give advice … but my advice for anyone entering the world of reality television regardless of the reason is to enter with authenticity and vulnerability. Let yourself be open to the opportunities that the circumstances bring.
Is hosting the level of involvement you want to have with reality TV at this point in your life and career or could you see yourself letting cameras document your life again?
I think for me to be on reality television in the sort of role where I am putting myself out there, I would want to be in charge. I would want to be executive producer and I would probably fight for that in any capacity to be back in that space.
Which islanders do you think will do well this year?
I have a great feeling about Olandria [Carthen]. She's stunning, sexy, full of personality and knows exactly what she wants.
What have you watched recently that you're recommending to everyone you know?
For a while I was telling everyone I knew about 'Sweet Home' [Netflix]. It had me on the edge of my seat and I became so connected to the characters. I cried so hard at the end and I never would have expected to be crying over a show about monsters.
What's your go-to comfort watch, the film or TV show you return to again and again?
'The Office' or 'Parks and Rec' [both on Peacock]. I can put them on to fall asleep and whenever I wake up, I can jump back in and have a laugh with my favorite TV characters. There are no bad seasons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Charlie from 'Love Island USA' on Hannah and Pepe: 'How can I watch that?'
"Love Island USA" Season 7's Charlie Georgiou says the women were too loyal to Huda to vote her out of the villa, calling himself an "easy target." Charlie Georgiou is still reeling from being dumped by his fellow "Love Island USA" cast members. "It's savage; it's brutal," he tells USA TODAY. Since his villa roommates voted to oust him over the controversial Huda Mustafa and Taylor Williams, Charlie has been in a Fiji hotel room watching Netflix — and also catching up on the dozen Season 7 episodes in which the actor/model appeared. But the season's first male bombshell isn't eager to follow the most recent episodes, in which the woman he'd hit it off with, Hannah Fields, is happily moving on with Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez a day after uncontrollably sobbing over Charlie's departure. "When I was watching the episode of my departure, I saw that the next day, obviously they sent Pepe and Hannah and all the new couples on dates. And I was like, 'I can't watch that, man.' How can I watch that?" Charlie says. "Any human being wouldn't want to watch someone that they've just been establishing connections with go off and get to have this intimate experience with someone else." He adds, "Yeah, I don't want to watch the (newer) episodes. It's not a nice feeling. ... I'm just a bit worried I'll see something that makes me feel a bit (bad)." Charlie says he was the 'easy target'; the women 'weren't about to dump' Huda In Episode 12, viewers for the first time had their say in who couples up. When Hannah was paired with Pepe, Charlie was left on the chopping block alongside Taylor and Huda. Chelley, Cierra and Amaya's votes sealed Charlie's fate. This "disappointed" Charlie, who'd thought he had formed better friendships with the women. "Amaya, I always looked out for her. She cried in front of me. Me and Hannah looked after her and made her feel better, and she confided in us and we consoled her," Charlie says. "So for her to be the final executor of my time there ... the irony of it. I was like, 'No way, man, I can't believe it's you that's done it." As for Cierra, her vote to dump Charlie "let me down because ... we went in this game together. We went into the villa together. We'd have one-on-one conversations and check in on each other. He'd hoped he would sway his fellow islanders by giving his "last-ditch effort" pitch that he and Hannah had just found a new lease on their budding love. "And even that wasn't enough," Charlie says. "So I think I was always going to be the easy target." The women's loyalty to each other was the nail in the coffin, Charlie believes. "I just feel like the girls weren't about to dump (Huda)," he says. "They're not going to dump their girlfriend that they're upstairs with. They're watching her cry. They're not going to do that. They're going to go for me."
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Love Island USA Couple Have Sex in the Villa
Season 7 of Love Island USA is on fire! While many couples are still exploring, one couple has been the exception. Jeremiah Brown and Huda Mustafa became a couple from the jump, and have only been interested in each other. The couple even scored the first date of the season, and they hit up a water park. How romantic! Well, now the duo has taken their relationship even further. While Huda and Jeremiah have encouraged each other to explore, they also don't want anyone else. Viewers have seen the couple shower together. So, maybe the fact that they had sex isn't such a shock. Jeremiah and Huda did the deed during Episode 12, and they were caught on night-vision camera getting busy in the villa. Of course, they are also in a room full of other people, in close proximity. Islander Cierra Ortega found out the details. 'You had sex?' she asked Huda privately. 'Low-key, yeah. I won't give details on when or how, but all I will say is that it did happen,' Huda replied. I'm guessing that when it happened wasn't a mystery to the rest of the Love Island USA cast. However, there could be trouble ahead for the duo. Summer House star Paige DeSorbo hosted the show's next challenge, titled 'Got Wood.' When Jeremy selected Oliandra Carthen's name, he went in for a full kiss. Previously, he gave other contestants a peck on the cheek because of his respect for Huda. 'A challenge is a challenge. I'm not going to go in there and not do nothing because I'm scared,' Jeremiah said in his confessional. 'I'm here to play, I'm here to do the challenge.' The couple previously hit a bumpy patch when Huda revealed that she has a daughter. After overcoming his surprise, Jeremiah seemed cool with Huda's news. Only time will tell if this couple will go the distance. Love Island USA is streaming on Peacock. TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HUDA AND JEREMIAH HAVING SEX IN THE VILLA? WAS IT A MISTAKE? The post Love Island USA Couple Have Sex in the Villa appeared first on Reality Tea.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Love Island USA Season 7 Claims Over 1 Billion Minutes Streamed
is taking over our lives yet another summer, and we can't be mad about it. Season 7 is riding the high of last year's fan-favorite group of Islanders, and they had big shoes to fill. Thankfully, the singles came to Fiji with a mission — make connections and stir up a little drama. From Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown's whirlwind relationship to Ace Greene and Amaya Espinal's frenemy-ship, there's been a lot to take in so far. Apparently, fans are so obsessed with Love Island that we're watching a record-breaking amount of episodes. In a span of less than a week, Love Island USA had 1.2 billion minutes streamed across the nine episodes available, Deadline reports. Luminate looked at streaming minutes from June 6 to 12 to determine the total. It's the second most-watched streaming show on TV. So, fans are obsessing over tuning in to see what tricks Ariana Madix has up her sleeves next. That definitely makes us feel better about our TV watching habits. It's hard to believe that fans have already watched a billion minutes, and the season hasn't even been on for three weeks yet. That means thousands of people have witnessed antics like Taylor Williams bursting out of his straps after being seduced by Olandria Carthen. It's also a whole lot of people who have seen Huda crash out. Yikes. It took Season 6 nearly a month to crack a billion minutes viewed, so Season 7 is off to a strong start. Surely, with the way things are going in the villa these days, it won't take us long to rack up another billion minutes on this season alone. Love Island USA Season 7 is available to stream on Peacock. TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TUNING INTO LOVE ISLAND SEASON 7? DO YOU PREFER SEASON 6 OR 7 OF THE SHOW SO FAR? The post Love Island USA Season 7 Claims Over 1 Billion Minutes Streamed appeared first on Reality Tea.
